Review: Roll on the Day

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews.

Roll on the Day – Etcetera Theatre, London

Writer: Roberto Trippini
Director: Vik Sivalingam
Music: Laurence Mark Wythe
The Public Reviews Rating: 4/5

Despite being a small production, the opening ten minutes of Roll on the Day manage to display almost everything which will go on to make the musical such an enjoyable show.  From the outset, it is clear this production will utilise all the opportunities a small stage offers.

A tense introduction from the keyboard of Tom Turner sets an ominous tone to contrast with the first of many charismatic and light-hearted songs led by stars Amersackie Osakonor and Sean Keating. This theme of contrast continues as Keating’s single-minded male British stereotype clashes against Osakonor’s more developed, emotional and yet still refreshingly entertaining portrayal of a man not disheartened by a bitter struggle in Nigeria and move to London.

Despite the characters being each other's antithesis in many ways, the actors manage to portray a true sense of friendship. It’s this, along with their ability to engage the audience with charming songs and eye contact, which keeps everyone smiling consistently despite the looming peril.

Kendra McMillan successfully rounds off the talented three person cast with an endearing turn as a strong willed art enthusiast. However, the position of Turner and his keyboard, just behind the minimalist yet effective set, and his obvious dedication to the music he provides leaves him seeming like a fourth character.
 
As the story continues and more of the lead’s journey is revealed, the strength of the songs and lyrics remains one of the best aspects of the night. However, a few of the rhyming lines do begin to feel forced, even if it detracts nothing from the overall enjoyment of the play. The dark undertones, subtly maintained at the surface by the music and lighting, come to forefront in a genuinely surprising twist which allows a different side of each actor’s talent to be seen. It's clear all along that Osakonor is going to be the stand out of an exemplary cast, but after this change in tone he really shines when showing his character’s reactions and desperation.

While it may have little of the West End portrayal’s grandeur, there are clear influences from Les Miserables within this play. The themes of a struggle for redemption in a new life and an inability to escape the ghosts of a past are wonderfully portrayed in a modern example of an illegal immigrant in a less than forgiving British society. It is this setting in contemporary London which breathes true life into the musical as the city’s views and values are questioned by the believable actions, thoughts and dialogue of all three characters.

Towards the end of the production, the mood finishes its shift from the jovial and sweet hearted beginnings to a darker, more action packed conclusion, but herein lays the singular true flaw of the play. Just as the action peaks and the music climaxes, the cast separate and bow to the audience. It would be impossible to continue the plot with just these characters, but the ending does still feel rushed. While it's nice to have some ambiguity, there's barely any indication here on where the plot lines would have been taken.

However, with this exception, Roll on the Day is a wonderful and well told story, endlessly enhanced by a charismatic cast and engaging music. Not only that, it's actually willing to point out issues within British society while maintaining an honest and enjoyable mood. After seeing this musical, it's easy to think the entire country could benefit from doing the same.

Runs until 15th April

Find the original review, and many others, here: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/roll-on-the-day-etcetera-theatre-london/